Bournemouth Film School (BFS) has enjoyed a prosperous couple of months as its students have been inundated with awards ranging from animation to prosthetics.

We may only be a short way into the academic year but it’s never too early for Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) students to reap the rewards of their hard work.

Animation graduates dominate at Purbeck Shorts Competition

This year’s Purbeck Film Festival was a proud moment for our BA (Hons) Animation Production course as four of its graduate animations found themselves on the shortlist for the Purbeck Shorts Competition.

In their first public outing, the films – Train Ride, The Man Who Loved Flowers, Les Chateau des Chats and Nobody to Play With – were all screened at the Mowlem Theatre, Swanage on 4 November 2023.

The winners were also announced that same night, with The Man Who Loved Flowers ultimately taking the David Holman Student Prize.

Dorian Terkelsen, Production Manager for the BA (Hons) Animation course, comments, “This isn’t just a competition for students – there are lots of professional entries too. Being selected is really special for our graduates.”

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Illustration of a woman looking into a window holding a pot of purple flowers – a scene from 'The Man Who Loved Flowers'.

Student winners of 'The Man Who Loved Flowers', stood in front of a Purbeck Film Festival banner.

Illustration of a man in the street looking into a circular mirror, surrounded by flowers.

In other animation news, the 2022 grad film Cortex was chosen for screening at the annual London International Animation Festival (LIAF).

Cortex follows a desperate man as they undergo an experimental trial with a new technology, embarking on a journey to reconstruct memories and modify past trauma.

The film was selected out of over 2,400 films and screened before a live audience as part of the “Best of the Next” programme.

LIAF 2023 took place 24 November – 3 December.

Double win for Make-up alumni at The Prosthetics Event

Award victories continued into the annual Prosthetics Event, where two alumni from the BA (Hons) Make-up for Media and Performance took home prizes.

Two make-up competitions made up part of the event, which took place at Coventry Building Society Arena, comprising the categories of Body Art and Prosthetic Application.

A total of four AUB alumni entered the competitions, with two entrants for each category. Zoë Pyne won for Prosthetic Application, while Rachel Hawkins did the same for Body Art. Rachel calls the victory “a major highlight for the year so far.”

“I planned and practised the look prior to the event, but everyone taking part had such a high standard of work I never expected to win. Being in a room full of professionals and make-up enthusiasts was amazing exposure to start getting my work out there.”

"Most artists like myself struggle with the inner dialogue that their art is never quite good enough,” adds Zoë, “So the feeling of having your work recognised by industry professionals that you’ve look up to is incredible.”

“During the making and preparation process, I faced a lot of challenges, so I was so relieved and proud when I saw everything come together. The encouragement and support I got from all the AUB make-up students, lecturers and alumni that attended the event was so lovely, and they helped me push through the five-hour application time.”

Close-up of a man's face with heavy horror-themed prosthetics, wearing a black headdress and robes.

Two AUB BA (Hons) Make-up for Media and Performance graduates pose for a photo with their models after winning awards at The Prosthetics Event.

A model with bright coloured body art poses for a photo. Confetti is all over the floor beneath them and on the stage behind them.

Zoë also says The Prosthetics Event was the first competition she’d ever entered.

“The event was an amazing networking opportunity and I’ve since continued some of those conversations, leading to possible work. The Prosthetics Event continues to be a reminder as to why I love this craft and this crazy industry so much.”

Zoë and Rachel’s classmate Megan Matthews also entered work for the Prosthetic Application category, while alumna Emily Prendergast, who completed her studies in 2021, entered for Body Art.

"Realness with a Twist" premieres on Film4

The BFS short film Realness with a Twist has made its terrestrial screen debut.

The film, funded by the Alumni Award from BFS’ Funding Futures initiative, premiered on Film4 on Friday 17 November.

Realness with a Twist is the result of a collaboration spanning several AUB alumni, including the film’s co-writer David Giles and director of photography Charlie Jenkins.

It follows a talented footballer as he comes to terms with his identity, after a secret passion for vogueing meets disapproval from his teammates.

Scene from the film "Realness with a Twist" being filmed in a nightclub. A man looks through the viewer of a film camera surrounded by actors.

On a football field, a member of the crew for Realness with a Twist holds a clapper board behind an actor dressed in a football kit. Another crew member in the foreground holds a boom mic.

Close-up of an actor from Realness with a Twist, posing with their arms crossed and palms facing forwards. Other people are holding cards with the number 10 on them in the background.

“The film supports the bravery it takes to be your authentic self, on and off the pitch,” explains David, who graduated BA (Hons) Film Production in 2012.

“'Realness with a Twist' is made in collaboration with the London Ballroom scene and the lead cast are predominately non-actors from the scene itself.

“Working with them was a wonderful experience, and throughout the filmmaking process made for an incredibly lovely and supportive environment. I think this emotional truth can be felt in the film and means audiences have really connected with the characters.”

Realness with a Twist was previously nominated for the Best British Film award at the Iris Prize, the prestigious BAFTA and BIFA qualifying festival. It took home the Iris Prize Youth Jury Award for Best Short.